WE are receiving a lot of complaints lately regarding the lack of traffic enforcers manning that stretch from Edsa Central in Pasig up to Robinson’s Department Stores in Ortigas from five to eight in the evening. Traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are usually present in the area during rush hours but they are seldom seen these days resulting in monstrous traffic jams.

Yes, buses are really having a field day as they are able to weave in and out of the available slots in the bus stops that litter these areas. Most of them stay there for a long time, creating a lengthy line while waiting for so few riders.

Will the MMDA do something about this? 

YOU can say anything you want, but I have to admit that for the first time I was able to ride the MRT in Edsa only early this year. Yes, and the experience was so wonderful that I told myself that I would really write about it. In order to save on time (and yes, gasoline too!), I hitched a ride with my partner in the Petron Xtra Mile Challenge, Ira Panganiban, going to Marilao, Bulacan for the scrutinizing of our official vehicle.

After bringing my two kids to their school, I hurriedly packed my bags and went off to the Boni Avenue MRT station. Considered as the halfway mark of the long stretch of stops, I found that at 8 a.m. the crowd was relatively light considering that it was a Friday.

I was really fascinated with the view along the way, which was like traveling on a low-flying plane. And the trip was really fast. Mind you, it only took me some 15 minutes to reach the end of the line near SM North in Quezon City. Yes, 15 minutes! If I were to travel that by land on Edsa at that given time, it would probably take me around 45 minutes because of the heavy traffic. That’s how smooth travel is on the MRT. And one thing that’s great is that all of the coaches are air conditioned unlike before when I used to travel to and from my work on an LRT during my halcyon days.

One thing I disliked was the way coaches were dispatched. I think there was no regular time being followed since there were several points along the stretch where people swelled to large proportions before a coach arrived. I experienced this on my way back around lunchtime when it took 25 minutes for a coach to arrive and the waiting area was already bursting at the seams. When the door finally opened, a lot of pushing and shoving arose as people raced to get inside.

This is the point that many commuters complain about. During rush hours, many coaches should be dispatched on a regular basis. Since it is easy for stations to communicate with one another, the MRT should deploy “spotters” to monitor the heavy influx of commuters so that more coaches can be released immediately along the way at any given time. We have seen so many guards and employees who could be assigned to do this and many of them have radios or other means of communications that they can use to relay to the main headquarters all the information it needs.

When I discussed this with Ira on our way to Marilao the idea that the MRT and LRT must be made the regular mode of transportation within the metropolis, he shot back:  “I agree!”

He also said that in order to attract people to ride the MRT, the coaches must arrive regularly and timely at each station. “We should follow the examples of those in the US, Hong Kong and other advanced countries which rely on the rail transit as their main means of transportation. On time ang dating ng mga coaches sa kanila kaya wala ’yung naiipon sa isang lugar ’yung mga tao.”

And this, Ira added, is the best way to get rid of those “damn buses” in Edsa. “Those buses are the real cause of the monstrous traffic there. The reason why some people are not keen on riding the MRT is because of these buses. Tanggalin mo ’yan, lalong lalakas ang kita ng MRT. Those buses are really the ones clogging Edsa. Take them out and Edsa would be free of traffic. Isa lang kasi ang barumbadong lumabas sa kanilang lane eh sakop na ’yung tatlo hanggang apat na lanes ng Edsa. Hindi naman napupuno ang mga ’yan kahit na rush hours,” he said.

The addition of more rail lines in and around the metropolis is a must and would surely hasten development. While it is not too late, the government must speedily implement the addition of rail lines especially those that would run and serve the people in the nearby provinces. 

ANDROS Villaraza of Mercedes-Benz informed us recently that a new four-door convertible has rolled out of their Stuttgart plant and was shown in the recent North American Auto Show in Detroit.

It is called the Concept Ocean Drive, which “revives the tradition of large luxury convertibles that features the maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness. To put it another way, it represents automobile culture at its most attractive and desirable.”

The new model was described further: “The unique luxury convertible design study from Stuttgart turns a “dream car” vision into reality. At the same time it is also an affirmation of the design excellence and values of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the brand’s traditional basic principles like excellent built and quality, comfort, effortless superiority, value retention and safety. These values have now been joined by three further key messages: passion, fascination and innovation. The Mercedes-Benz design philosophy both perpetuate proven styling themes associated with the brand and at the same time combines them with new and surprising ideas and forms. Apart from the four doors, the outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and tailights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces. This lends the one-off special an air of effortless superiority, power, elegance and forward-flowing energy. The long side-window opening which, typically of a convertible, is not interrupted by a B-pillar or window frames, ensures seamless continuity between the exterior and the interior, even when the top is up.

The design study is based on the 12-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600, on account of this model’s long wheelbase. The technical highlights include:  the innovative soft-top mechanism resulting in smooth operation and fast closing times; the innovative AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year.

The onboard equipment also includes top-level Mercedes-Benz innovations, some of which are unique worldwide—including Brake Assist PLUS, the innovative PRE-SAFE® brake system (in combination with radar-based DISTRONIC PLUS) and the PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system.”

WE are receiving a lot of complaints lately regarding the lack of traffic enforcers manning that stretch from Edsa Central in Pasig up to Robinson’s Department Stores in Ortigas from five to eight in the evening. Traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are usually present in the area during rush hours but they are seldom seen these days resulting in monstrous traffic jams.

FIVEFOLD comebacks have been in vogue for the past four months. For example, in order to finally leapfrog over Nike in basketball shoe sales, adidas launched its “It Takes Five” basketball campaign using five NBA players—Tracy McGrady, Gilbert Arenas, Kevin Garnett, Chauncey Billups and Tim Duncan. Although only the shoe lines of McGrady, Arenas and Garnett were publicly available (as of today), they were sales hits. 

THE existing record was not broken but nevertheless all participating cars managed to finish the Petron Xtra Miles Challenge Media Edition that ended on Sunday.

AFTER receiving a deluge of accolades following its eagerly anticipated unveiling, Jaguar’s C-XF concept car received the nod for Best in Show during the 2007 North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) recently held in Detroit, Michigan.